Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-12-30
THE LITTLE VIDETTE.

Austrians. on . beautiful morning in tn,
month Of June, . little hand OF cavalr,
OF Saluzzo was proceeding at a Aow pac,
along retired path in the direction O
the enemy, and exploring the countr,
attentively. The troop was commando
by an officer and a sergeant. ard all wer,
gazing into the distance ahead of then
eswith eyes fixed, silent and prepared q
moment to see the uniforms Of tht
e les advance posts Hleam white be
fore them through the trees. In thi,
order they arrived at a rustic cabin sur
rounded by ash trees, in front Of which
stood solitary boy. about IL years old
who was removing the bark from small
branch with knife. in order to make
himself a stick Of il. From one window
Of the little house fioated large tri-col.
ored flag. There was no one inside. The
peasant had fed after hanging out the
flag, for fear Of the Austrisns As soon
as the lad saw the cavalry he flung aside
his stick and raised the flag. He was q
handsome boy. with bold face and large,
blue eyes and long golden hair. He was
in his shirt sleeves and his breast was bxre
What are YOU doing heret" the oficer
asked him.. refining in his horse. why
did You not flee with your family"
Il have no family" said the boy, 81 am
founding. do littie work for every
body. remained here to see the war"
Have you seen any Austrians pass!''
''No, not for these three days"
The officer paused . while and thought.
Then he leaped from his horse, and leav-
ing his soldiers thero with their faces
turned toward their foe, he mounted 10
the roof. The house was low. From tho
roof only q small tract OF country was
visible. 1T will be necessary to climb
the trees, said the officer, and descended.
Just in front Of the garden plot rose .
very slender and lofty ash tree, which
was rocking its crest In the azure. The
officer stood brief space in thought, gag
ing now At the tree and then at the SOL
diers. Then suddenly he asked the Lad,
''ls yoslr sight good, you monkey"
.'Mines" replied the boy. II can spy a
young sparrow a mile away"
Are You good for . climb to the top Of
this trees''
To the top Of this tree, y Twill be up
there in half minute"
And will you be able to tell me what
you see ap there, II there are Austrian
soldiers in that direction, clouds Of dust,
cleaning guns, horsess'
Certainly l SHALL
"Whxt do you demand for this servicer'
= what do I demand,'' said the lad.
smiling. Nothing A fine thing that
would be, indeed And then, II il were
for the Germans, would not do 1t on any
terms But for our men! am Lom-
bard"'
Good! Then up with your
wait a moment till I take OF my
shoes"
He pulled of his shoes, frightened the
girth of his trousers, hung his cap on the
grass and clasped the trunk Of the ash.
Take care now, !" exclaimed the officer,
making movement 10 bold him back, -
though seized with a Sudden terror.
The boy turned to Look at him, with his
handsome blue eyes, - though interro-
eating him
No matter" said the omcer. up
with your
Up went the lad like cat.
keep watch ahead" shouted the on
Ger TO the soldiers.
In few moments the boy was at the
top of the tree twined round the trunk,
with his legs among the lea,es. but his
body displayed to view, and the sun beat
ing down on his blond head, which
seemed to be Of gold. The officef could
hardly see him, 80 small did he seem up
there.
Look straight ahead and fkr away"
shouted the officer.
The lad. in order to see better, re-
moved his right hand from the tree, and
shaded his eyes with il
what do You seer' said the officer.
The boy inclined his head toward him,
and making q speaking trumpet Of his |
hand, replied, Two men ON horseback On |
the white road"
AT what distance from herev'
''Half mile"
'tAre they movin<i'
''They are standing still.
''What else do yon seey' asked the !
officer, after q mOEsentsry silence. "Look |
TO the right"
The boy lookes to the right Then he |
said, Near the cemetery, among the |
trees, there is sGaiething glittering. 1t |
seems to be bayonets,"
do you see mens'' 0l
NO; they must be concealed in the
grain"
At that moment the sharp whizz OF .
bullet passed high up In the air and died /
away in the distance behind the house
Come down, my lad" shouted the
officer, they have seen you. do not
want anything more. Come down"
Il am not afraid, {" replied the boy.
Come down." repeated the officer.
''Wha: else do you see to the left"
TO the lef,y'
"Yes, to the left.'
The lad turned his head to the left Al
that moment another whistle, more acute
and lower than the first, cut the air. Ths
boy was thoroughly aroused.
They are actually aiming at mel" he
tn
short distance from him.
Down. shouted the officer, tmperiousl
and irritated.
tree shelters me. 10 not fear You want
10 know what there is TO the lefti'
.Yes. to the left" answered the officer, |
''bui come down.
ITO the left," shouted the Lad, thrust
ing Lis body ont In that direction, '.yon-
der, where there Is q chapel, I think I |
see
A short, fierce whistle passed through
the air: and, almost instantaneously, the
boy wa seen 10 descend, catching for .
moment at the trunk and branches, and
then falling headiong. with arms otit-
spread. The officer ran MP. The boy lay /
stretched upon his back, with arms out
spread. 4 stream Of blood flowed from
his breast on the left. The sergeant and
two soldiers ieaped from their horses
T;.c Office: bent over and opened his shirt
The ball had entered his left lung. He
IS deadr exclaimed the officer
mo, he still lives" replied the ser
gcant.
.sAh, poor boy, brave boyr cris0 the
officer. Courage, cOurager' Bnt while
he was saying courage" he was pressing |
hi. handkerchief on the wound. The boy |
ro;ied his eyes and dropped his head back.
He was dead. The o6icer turned pale, and
stood for a moment gazing at him. Taen
he laid him down carefully On his cloak
upon the grass, then rose and stood hook
jrs at him. The sergeant and two sol |
diers also stood mctionlees, gazing upon |
him. The rest were facing in the direction